F.A.Q.

How are appointments made?
Appointments are generally scheduled by your individual therapist. Our secretary is also available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. to assist you in scheduling appointments. The standard appointment time is 50 minutes, although this may vary with individual circumstances.

What if an appointment can’t be kept?
If you must cancel an appointment, please do so at least 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged for the session.

How does a client contact Cornerstone in an emergency?
During non-business hours our phone is answered by an answering service. In the event a client of Cornerstone is experiencing an emergency, the answering service will contact one of the Cornerstone staff who will return the client’s call as soon as possible.

Will the information shared with a therapist be kept confidential?
The privacy of information exchanged with your therapist in the course of diagnosis and treatment is protected by law. The law also requires your therapist to break confidentiality with or without your permission if you or someone else is at risk of serious harm. You and your therapist may decide together that it is in your best interest for Cornerstone to exchange information with another party. In that case, your therapist will ask for written consent.

Who are the therapists?
All therapists at Cornerstone have a Masters Degree or a Doctoral Degree in psychology or a related field. We encourage you to talk with your therapist about his/her training. All therapy is conducted or supervised by a licensed psychologist and you have the right to request a consultation with the supervisor if you have questions.

What does therapy cost?
At Cornerstone, the standard charge for a Diagnostic Interview is $250 Subsequent sessions are as follows:

Individual – 38 – 52 minutes $150
Individual – 53 – greater $200
Family – 45 – 50 minutes $115
Psychological assessments may involve additional charges. Complex situations requiring more than one therapist may also involve additional charges.

It is your responsibility to contact your insurance carrier(s) prior to initiating treatment to clarify the limits of your coverage. Some insurance companies have special requirements or limitations. Payment is due at the time of service. As a service to you, we can file your primary insurance claims. Please remember that you are ultimately responsible for the cost of service.

A statement of your account, which will include current charges, any balance forward, personal payments and insurance payments, will be sent to you on a monthly basis. If you have not paid anything on your balance for four months, the account will go to collections. If you have questions about your bill, please call during business hours. If the entire balance cannot be paid in full, please contact the office to arrange for regular monthly payments.

What should I ask my insurance carrier to help me understand if they can cover my sessions with Cornerstone?
We recommend that you ask your insurance carrier the following questions to help you determine what coverage you may have:

  1. Is out patient psychotherapy covered by my policy?
  2. Do I need pre-authorization before scheduling my first appointment?
  3. What percentage will my insurance cover for each charge?
  4. Are there limits, individual deductibles or family deductible which restrict my coverage?
  5. Am I restricted as to the type of professional I can receive psychotherapy from (e.g., licensed psychiatrist, licensed psychologist only)?
  6. Can my major medical coverage (when applicable) be applied to this type of service?